The Russian delegation has landed its first deal at the Paris air show, selling all-weather K-52 Alligator helicopter gunships to Iraqi officials.
Airplanes of all shapes, sizes, and nationalities have taken to
the Parisian sky this week at 50th Le Bourget air show, and
Russia has concluded its first sales on day two of the bi-annual
exhibition.
The Iraqi order is part of a $4 billion re-armament package
signed with Russia last year. Iraq picked the fighter helicopter,
with its unusual design which the makers claim makes it more
maneuverable and stable. It is said to be 30 percent more
efficient than the American Apache attack helicopter.
The Alligator is made by Russian Helicopters, a subsidiarity of
Oboronprom, which is part of the state company Rostec. Before the
airshow the company had filled helicopter orders with Brazil and
Turkey.
Day two also marked the delivery of Russia’s first
Superjet to a Western client, in a contract with Mexican airline
Interjet.
The jet arrived in Paris on Saturday and the 93 seat airliner is
prominently situated in the display line, giving exhibition goers
a first-hand look at what customers will experience once the
plane takes to the skies next month.
Interjet plans to fly the aircraft from Mexico City, Guadalajara
and Monterrey.
Originally scheduled for delivery late last year, the plane
took nearly six months longer to finish than expected. A second
plane is scheduled for arrival next month.
The slow Sukhoi production and delivery obligations hasn’t
completely soured the relationship with Interjet.
“Of course I share some concern,” SuperJet
International CEO Nazario Cauceglia was quoted by ainonline.
“But the point is that we’ve got from SCAC and Sukhoi the
assurance that Interjet has the priority today. Everybody knows
how important it is to put successfully the aircraft on the
Western market. This is a unique chance for all of us, and Sukhoi
is as sensitive as we are about this,” he added.
This year Sukhoi has fulfilled two other deliveries - one to
Indonesia’s Sky Aviation and the other to Lao Central Airlines.
In contrast, Boeing launched its 787-10 version of its flagship
Dreamliner airliner which already has 102 orders worth nearly $30
billion.
The main aircraft competition this year is between Boeing and
Airbus. Last year, Boeing beat Airbus in total number of orders,
and took home over $37 billion in orders, and Airbus, only $16.9
billion.
Forty six Russian companies are displaying their machinery at the
exhibition, and Russia, and previously the Soviet Union, have
participated in every show since 1957. In total there are more
than 2,000 companies from 44 countries participating.
Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygu, visited the
international air show in Paris, where he watched the crowds
applaud the Russian SU-35 fighter, which the French have prominently
displayed at the center of a main exhibition avenue.
The second day of the Air Show also marked a cooperation
agreement between Russian and European space bureaus, which have
agreed to work closely to explore Mars.
The price of jet fuel has been a hot topic among clients,
vendors, and patrons of the show. The price has more than tripled
since 2003, which has forced airlines to become increasingly
innovative in their approach to improving efficiency.
The Paris air show runs through Sunday July 23.